Copying kits is a crime that hurts original artists & producers. Help support your favorite artists by buying their original works. PlanetFigure will not tolerate any activities related to recasting, and will report recasters to authorities. Thank you for your support!

Depicting a high status Russian Noble , this is a very well armed and armoured individual , , the company have based these on original items found in museums amongst them the armoury in the Kremlin and also finds in various cities/towns , also looking at original manuscript illustrations

I will include reference at the end of the review for your information

Himini continue to use high quality resin = very high quality casting definition

Presentation the same as previous releases in respect box and packing quality

Dry fitting is excellent

Choice of 4 weapons

2 head options ( helmet of mail )

Cloak fits over the cast head ..if you choose not to use then a little bit of rework will be needed on the right arm fitment

Parts are on easily removed casting plugs

As before all packing is very secure in a laser cut wooden box , with the parts in bags and in recycled materials (straw type) , the box being held by a push on cardboard surround with pictures on one side ( not colour ) and on the other the box artwork in a frame by Kirill , some might prefer a larger picture.

Insert includes the informative detail as we have seen in previous again signed by the sculptor

Parts consist of

Main torso

2 arms

Shield

Cloak

4 weapons

Sword Blade and Handle and crosspiece

Mace end

Small satchel/Bag

Helmet and helmet finial

2 shoulder pieces

2 sets of hanging straps for the helmet

Prep

This is a big chunk of resin so think before you do anything how you are going to base it up

Choose your weapon and headwear

Build the sculpt up as you wish , I would suggest you paint the cloak separately and fit once the torso is completed.

The casting is very high quality and parts fit into place accurately and with ease , no filler needed if you fit the cloak ( see comment above )

Sculpted as a 3/4 bust cut away below the waist in order to add the full sword belt

Wearing full plate armour with additional mail protection , these are based on city finds in Novogrod and Torzhok

The warrior is wearing his mail hood up on the head

The undercuts and detail work is spot on , the plates are well defined with the mail being the same

The sword belt is again very high quality sculpting and casting throughout

The mail sits very naturally with the movement of the piece , the head being turned to the left looking down at an enemy

Hanging centrally on the chest we have finely sculpted crucifix..a joy to look at

Facial features are excellent particularly the work on the eyes , he is bearded with good texture work

There are cut outs to fit the shoulder pieces and the arms as well as the satchel and the scabbard

on to the Arms ...

Both are fully armoured with again the same excellent detail work , wearing heavily armored gloves based on items from Visby..suffice to say the high quality continues .

The right arm is raised with your chosen weapon

The left is sculpted and cast with the shield arm pad to it ...the work on the strapping is of particular note , the hand gripping the straps really well., the pressure of the arm to the pad is well shown , pushing the material out to folds nicely

This is a full flowing piece with plenty of movement cast complete with the front being held together by a brooch , nice folds , there are a couple of casting plugs to take away , be careful so it does not pull the resin away , fitting very well over the torso this allows full painting of both the pieces easily.
No texture is on the material to depict silk or a satin material

Shield

A very large item slightly textured but with no design on it allowing your own choice to be depicted

Fit to the left arm poses no issues whatsoever , in place its very imposing

Helmet

This is a very unusual shape but typical of the Russian types known as the "Greek ht" in the Kremlin armoury , conical in shape , pointed with a apex piece that needed to fit in place ( good idea as this stops its being damaged in box )

Fit is excellent to the head if you choose to do do , what I like is that Himini have included a arrow showing which way to fit ( arrow forward !! )

There are also 2 hanging straps to fit if the helmet is used, one having the buckle on it

Shoulder pieces and Satchel/bag

Both are well sculpted , fit of the shoulder pieces a little fiddly so take your time , well shaped and sitting good in the cutouts
The bag itself is full with a nice design shown on it , good locating pieces to the cutouts

Weapons

A choice of 3 main ones Axe, Mace or sword plus a large dagger

Scabbard is provided as well ...if you choose the mace or axe then the sword handle and crosspiece are included to fit to the scabbard...great option , choose the sword , scabbard stays empty with the blade and handle etc fitting to the hand

The mace has a small round end to fit

There is a separate sword blade

All the weapons are very well sculpted and cast again a great option choice ..., all are detailed up nicely as well ...my favourite being the mace ( think I will add a wrist strap as well )....of course you could add the axe hanging from the belt as well!!!

Final Thoughts

Well there you have it Himini's first bust release , a very interesting subject , extremely well sculpted with casting being the same , I certainly am very impressed by this release , something different , packed full of details , ease of build , and as we have seen great results when painted

I hope this will not be the last bust from Himini , Russia is full of history and subjects , I would like to see them look at other periods of history , Napoleonic , WW1 perhaps .

Again HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I would believe a website is currently being worked on but for now you can contact by :

Cracking review Kev!
As I mentioned at one point I didn't like the helmet...picky me … so I really didn't give this a second look.
Interesting that all the real examples are in steel plate where the paint work is in brass.
I'll see if it makes it into the cabinets after I look at a few more times.
Well done and keep up the excellent work.
Cheers from sunny Cumbria.... Deadly for the painting but great for gardening :0
Jonathan

Stunning piece of sculpting and it looks like a great casting too. If I were a 'bust' man it would definitely be one to buy . . . who knows what the future holds. Just love the work that Himini are producing at the moment. Did I mention the artwork? Eye catching and a great piece of inspiration to any fortunate enough to take this beauty on
Cheers
Paul